Cupping and IASTM: How Can They Help Muscle Tightness and Movement?
If you’ve ever wondered what cupping involves, or what those metal tools sometimes used during treatment are for, you’re not alone.
Cupping and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) are two techniques I sometimes use alongside chiropractic treatment, massage, dry needling and exercise rehabilitation at Queensferry Chiropractic in South Queensferry and Dalmeny.
They aren’t something everyone needs, and I don’t use them as a one-size-fits-all treatment. Instead, I may include them when they are appropriate for you, particularly when muscle tightness, stiffness or restricted movement is contributing to how you feel.
What type of cupping do I use?
I use dry cupping with flexible silicone cups, using a movement-based approach rather than leaving the cups sitting in one place.
The cups create gentle suction on the skin and I can then glide, move or rock them over the area. I may also combine cupping with movement, depending on what we are trying to achieve.
Because the cups are flexible, I can easily adjust the amount of suction and how I use them depending on the area we’re working on and how it feels for you.
What is IASTM?
IASTM stands for Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation.
It involves using a smooth-edged tool over the skin to work with muscles, fascia and other soft tissues.
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ou might sometimes hear these tools described as “scraping” tools, but treatment doesn’t need to be aggressive. I use them in a controlled way and adjust the pressure depending on the area being treated and how comfortable it feels for you.
IASTM can be particularly useful when I want to work more specifically around an area where the tissues feel restricted or aren’t moving as freely.
How do cupping and IASTM work?
One of the reasons I use cupping and IASTM is to help improve how the different layers of soft tissue move in relation to each other.
Our muscles, connective tissue and fascia don’t work as completely separate structures. They form an interconnected network throughout the body. You may hear this described as tensegrity – essentially, the idea that movement and tension in one part of the body can influence how forces are distributed elsewhere.
Think of fascia as a continuous web of connective tissue that surrounds and connects muscles and other structures. For comfortable, efficient movement, the different layers of tissue need to be able to slide and glide over each other.
Sometimes, after injury, repetitive loading or periods of reduced movement, an area can feel stiff or restricted and those tissues may not move as freely.
This is where I may use cupping or IASTM.
Restoring slide and glide
Although they look very different, I use cupping and IASTM with a similar aim: to encourage movement between the different layers of tissue and help restore comfortable movement.
With silicone cupping, gentle suction lifts the skin and superficial tissues rather than pressing down into them. I move the cups across the skin and may combine this with movement of the body. This creates movement between the different tissue layers and can help an area feel less restricted.
With IASTM, I use a smooth-edged instrument over the skin to introduce a different type of mechanical and sensory input. This can be particularly useful when I want to work more specifically along an area where the tissues don’t appear to be moving as freely.
I often describe this to patients as helping the tissues regain their “slide and glide” – allowing the different layers to move more easily in relation to one another.
The aim isn’t to aggressively scrape tissue, break down fascia or force the body into a particular position. Instead, we’re encouraging movement and then, importantly, using normal movement and exercise to reinforce it.
What does fascia tensegrity mean?
“Tensegrity” sounds much more complicated than it needs to!
A simple way of thinking about it is that your body works as an interconnected system rather than a collection of completely separate muscles and joints.
Fascia forms part of this network. Tension is distributed across the system as you stand, walk, reach, lift and exercise. If one area isn’t moving particularly well, other areas may have to adapt to keep you moving.
When I talk about restoring fascia tensegrity, I’m not trying to physically reshape your fascia with a cup or an instrument. I’m looking to improve movement within the tissues and how comfortably the area moves as part of the wider system.
Cupping and IASTM can be useful tools for this, but they’re only part of the picture. Movement, strength and gradually loading the tissues are important for maintaining those changes.
Will cupping leave marks?
This is something people often ask, particularly if they’ve seen pictures of the dark circular marks sometimes associated with cupping.
Because I use flexible silicone cups and move them rather than leaving them static, I aim to keep marking to a minimum.
You may occasionally notice some temporary redness or mild marking afterwards, particularly if an area is sensitive, but creating dark marks isn’t the aim of the treatment.
I’ll always explain what I’m doing beforehand, and the amount of suction can be adjusted throughout.
What can cupping and IASTM be used for?
I may consider using cupping or IASTM when someone has:
Whether either technique is appropriate depends on what I find during your assessment.
Sometimes they can be useful. Sometimes another approach will be more appropriate.
What does treatment feel like?
With the silicone cups, you’ll usually feel a pulling sensation as the cup moves across the skin. Some areas may feel tighter or more sensitive than others, but I can easily alter the amount of suction if it feels too strong.
IASTM feels different. You’ll feel the tool moving across the skin and, again, some areas may feel more sensitive than others.
Neither technique needs to be painful or aggressive to be useful. I adapt the treatment to you and how your body responds.
Are cupping and IASTM used on their own?
Usually not.
At Queensferry Chiropractic in South Queensferry and Dalmeny, I tend to use hands-on techniques as one part of a wider treatment plan.
Depending on what is going on, your treatment might include chiropractic techniques, soft-tissue work, dry needling, cupping or IASTM alongside exercises and advice to help you improve movement, strength and confidence.
The aim isn’t simply to make something feel better temporarily. Where possible, I want to help you understand what may be contributing to the problem and give you ways to manage it between appointments too.
Is cupping or IASTM right for me?
Not necessarily, and that’s completely fine.
There isn’t one treatment technique that is right for everybody.
If I think cupping or IASTM could be useful for you, I’ll explain why I’m suggesting it, what it involves and what you can expect. You can then decide whether you’re happy to include it as part of your treatment.
Final thoughts
Cupping and IASTM are two of the different tools I can use as part of your treatment.
For some people, they can be useful for helping an area feel less restricted and encouraging better movement between the different layers of soft tissue. For others, we may choose a completely different approach.
If you're dealing with persistent muscle tightness, stiffness or restricted movement and you're looking for a chiropractor in South Queensferry or Dalmeny, you're welcome to book an appointment to have it assessed.
At Queensferry Chiropractic, treatment is always tailored to you rather than following the same routine for everyone.
If you’re dealing with persistent muscle tightness, stiffness or restricted movement and you’re looking for a chiropractor in South Queensferry or Dalmeny, you’re welcome to get in touch or book an appointment to have it assessed.
About the author
Vicky Pittman, MChiro – Chiropractor
I’m a GCC-registered chiropractor and owner of Queensferry Chiropractic, with 15+ years’ experience helping people move more comfortably and stay active.
I provide personalised chiropractic care from South Queensferry and Kilo Gym in Dalmeny, welcoming patients from South Queensferry, Dalmeny, Kirkliston, Winchburgh, North Queensferry and the surrounding areas.
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